Adult swaddling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A swaddling apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a fabric container of size and dimensions to comfortably enclose a human below neck level. The apparatus also comprises a vertical zipper at a front area of the container, the zipper accessible from an interior area of the container. The apparatus also comprises slots below a shoulder area of the container, the slots enabling arms of a user to protrude externally from the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is in the field of anxiety-reducing andcomforting devices for humans. More particularly, systems and methodsprovide a swaddling, cocoon-like container to fully enclose adult humansbelow neck level, the container zipping from the inside.

BACKGROUND

Anxiety can cause many issues in one's life, including health-relatedproblems. Even mild anxiety can make it difficult for a person to sleep,concentrate, and to function on a daily basis. Anxiety and stress havebecome almost second nature to many, leaving people searching foranswers and looking for natural and synthetic aids.

Stressed persons naturally gravitate to warm, protected and secureenvironments when seeking to relieve stress and enjoy leisure time. Theynaturally seek reduction of anxiety and relief from physical andpsychological stresses. Further, individuals with anxiety-relatedailments such as sensory processing disorder and other psychologicalafflictions may be persistently tormented with an inability to relax andlive “in the moment.” Hence, systems and methods are needed to providerelaxation and relief to such persons.

The prior art includes numerous previous implementations. A commerciallyavailable product named “Love to Dream Original Swaddle Up” is describedat https://lovetodream.com/swaddle-up-original/ and comprises a zipper.The product can only be zipped from the outside and is intended forinfants.

Another commercially available product is named “The Woombie ForAdults.” It is described athttp://wearableblankets.co.uk/the-woombie-for-adults-the-snuggies-creepier-cousin/and is a swaddling blanket for adults. A zipper provided by this productcan only be zipped from the outside.

A swaddling suit is described in World Intellectual Property publicationWO/2011/000025. The suit comprises an upper portion for enclosing aninfant's upper body and a lower portion for enclosing the infant's lowerbody. The swaddling suit further comprises a zipper for closing thesuit. The zipper can only be manipulated from the outside of the suit.

The prior art also includes U.S. Pat. No. 2,341,069A which describes asleeping bag having an inside zipper mechanism to close an openingthrough which a person can get inside of the sleeping bag. A zippermechanism is operable only from the inside of the bag. However, thisitem is a sleeping bag instead of a swaddle.

The prior art further includes US Publication 20180007976A1 providing aswaddle safety system comprising a swaddle garment. The swaddle garmenthas an opening through which an infant can be inserted into the garment.A zipper can be provided to close the opening. The zipper can only bemanipulated from the outside of the swaddle garment. Further, thisinvention is intended for infants.

The prior art also includes U.S. design patent U.S. D513357S1 thatprovides a swaddling sleeper comprising a body portion and a wingportion. The body portion comprises an opening which allows theinsertion of an infant. The opening can be closed by a zipper. Thezipper can only be manipulated from the outside of the swaddlingsleeper. Further, this invention is intended for infants.

The prior art further includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,101,513 that describesfoul weather apparel comprising a tubular enclosure, a circular paneland a circular hoop. The circular panel includes a radial split that isclosable by a zipper. The zipper can be manipulated from the inside. Butthis is a protective apparel instead of a swaddle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods described herein provide a one-piece swaddlingcocoon device for leisure and healthcare users for adult and adolescenthumans. The device envelopes the user's body including legs to the neckwith the user's head comfortably protruding. Body warmth is thereforecontained. User skin surfaces are protected from contact with outsideobjects. The swaddling cocoon device may be referred to commercially andin other settings as the “swacoon.”

The user enters the device and grasps and raises a zipper or similarcomponent to close the device up to the neck level. The user's body fromthe neck down is contained inside the device.

The device provides a comforting and womb-like environment for users whomay be suffering from physical and/or psychological ailments or may berecovering from surgery or various types of trauma. For users sufferingfrom psychological ailments such as sensory processing disorder, thedevice may promote reduction of anxiety and a sense of safety for theuser. Users with physical illnesses or injuries are provided aprotective environment wherein areas of ailment are shielded frompotential external contact that could exacerbate such conditions.

The device may be made from at least one of a plurality of fibers andfabrics including muslin, spandex and fleece. The device is a respitedevice and provides a pliable enclosure. The device is a swaddleapparatus directed to adults and adolescent minors. The device enclosesthe user in an encapsulated state wherein hands and feet are limited inmovement but wherein the user is still comfortable. The mouth of thedevice at a top area is the only section of the device where an area ofthe user's body, the head, is not enclosed.

The device is opened and closed using a zipper that begins at a bottomarea of the device and zips vertically upward to the user's neck. Thedevice is closed at that point. A flap may cover the zipper to reducethe chance of the zipper being moved back downward. The zipper may bepositioned to zip upward at a central area of the device. The zipper mayalternatively be positioned at a left-handed area of the device or at aright-handed area of the device, to effectively run up alongside theuser's left leg or right leg, respectively.

The zipper is accessed by the user once inside the device. The zipperinward. This structure contrasts with that of infant swaddle deviceswherein the zipper is accessed externally. In an embodiment, a zippermay also be located near the bottom of the device and move horizontallyacross the device near the user's feet. This structure may allow theuser to walk without having to fully exit the device.

Once inside the device and with the zipper in a down and open position,the user may reach down between his/her legs. The user may then graspthe handle of the inward-facing zipper and pull the zipper upward to theneck level to completely close the device about his/her body below theneck level.

The device may have a slot on each side for the user to move each armoutside the device. The slots may have covering flaps for use in sealingthe device when the user's arms are inside the device.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 is a diagram of an adult swaddlingapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 1 depicts components of a system 100 of such a swaddling apparatus.System 100 comprises a container 102, a zipper 104, a neck line 106, andarm slots 108 a-b. FIG. 1 provides a front view of the swaddlingapparatus with the internally-accessible zipper 104 positioned in thecenter of the container 102, the zipper 104 extending vertically to theneck line 106. The arm slots 108 a-b are optional and allow the user topush his/her arms through the slots 108 a-b.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 depicts components of asystem 200 of such a swaddling apparatus. Components in FIG. 2 throughFIG. 5 are indexed to the components of the system 100 depicted inFIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a transparent rear view of the apparatus with the userdepicted inside the apparatus. A container 202 is shown as are slots 208a-b with the user's arms protruding through and out of the slots 208a-b.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 depicts components of asystem 300 of such a swaddling apparatus. FIG. 3 is a transparent frontview of the swaddling apparatus with the container 302 shown.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 depicts components of asystem 100 of such a swaddling apparatus in a closed front view.Components shown in FIG. 1 include a container 402, a zipper 404, a neckline 406, and arm slots 408 a-b. FIG. 4 provides a front view of theswaddling apparatus with the internally-accessible zipper 404 positionedin the center of the container 402, the zipper 404 extending verticallyto the neck line 406. The arm slots 408 a-b are optional and allow theuser to push his/her arms through the slots 408 a-b. In FIG. 4, theuser's arms remain inside the container 402.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an adult swaddling apparatus in accordance withan embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 depicts components of asystem 500 of such a swaddling apparatus in a closed front view.Components shown in FIG. 1 include a container 502, a zipper 504, a neckline 506, and arm slots 508 a-b. FIG. 5 provides a front view of theswaddling apparatus with the internally-accessible zipper 504 positionedin the center of the container 502, the zipper 504 extending verticallyto the neck line 506. The arm slots 508 a-b are optional and allow theuser to push his/her arms through the slots 508 a-b. In FIG. 5, theuser's arms are shown as protruding through the slots 508 a-b.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are images of a user of the adult swaddling apparatusinside the device. In FIG. 6, the user's arms are inside the device andin FIG. 7, the user's arms are outside the device as described above.

As noted, systems and methods are directed primarily for individualsthat would like to feel snug and secure while lounging as well as tousers afflicted with sensory processing disorder to mimic the feeling ofbeing hugged. The system 100, i.e. the device, can help limitdistractions by the user being confined in the apparatus. The device canalso be used to cover skin allergy spots, wounds and hotspots onindividuals to limit the amount of friction on the sensitive areas. Thedevice may limit distractions at night, such as discouraging the userfrom reaching for his/her mobile phone or other distraction whileattempting to sleep.

The device may ease pain without drugs, encourage focus, and easeinsomnia. The device may improve focus for sufferers of attentiondeficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), may ease symptoms of restlessleg syndrome and fibromyalgia, and reduce travel anxiety. Further thedevice may help a user cope with symptoms of post-traumatic stressdisorder (PTSD), panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD),and autism.

1. A swaddling apparatus, comprising: a fabric container of size anddimensions to comfortably enclose a human below neck level; a verticalzipper at a front area of the container, the zipper accessible from aninterior area of the container; and slots below a shoulder area of thecontainer, the slots enabling arms of a user to protrude externally fromthe container.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprisesat least one of muslin, spandex, and fleece.
 3. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the container is of size and dimensions to contain one of anadult human user and an adolescent human user.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the container contains the user in an encapsulated state. 5.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container is flexible, breathable,and bag-like.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the containeroptionally includes at least one slot at a bottom area enabling legs ofthe user to protrude externally.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe slots below the shoulder area are optional.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the container optionally includes flaps to cover theoptional slots below the shoulder area.
 9. A leisure garment,comprising: a flexible cloth pouch, the pouch sized and shaped toenvelope an adult human; a closing apparatus; and an opening at an upperportion of the pouch for a user head to protrude.
 10. The garment ofclaim 9, wherein the closing apparatus is internally accessible to theuser.
 11. The garment of claim 9, wherein the closing apparatus is azipper.
 12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the zipper moves verticallyfrom a lower area of the pouch to a neck area of the user.
 13. Thegarment of claim 9, wherein the pouch optionally contains slots below ashoulder area for protrusion of arms of the user.
 14. The garment ofclaim 9, wherein the pouch optionally includes at least one slot at abottom area enabling legs of the user to protrude externally.
 15. Arespite device for patients afflicted with sensory ailments, comprising:a pliable enclosure of dimensions to contain an adult human; an internalsurface comprising a substance directed to contain body warmth andshield physical wounds; and an internally disposed zipper mechanism, thezipper positioned for access by a user situated inside the device. 16.The device of claim 15, wherein the substance comprises at least one ofmuslin, spandex, and fleece.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein theenclosure is flexible, breathable, and bag-like.
 18. The device of claim15, wherein the dimensions of the enclosure enable full extension of theuser's legs.
 19. The device of claim 15, wherein the enclosureoptionally includes at least one slot at a bottom area enabling legs ofthe user to protrude externally.
 20. The device of claim 15, wherein thezipper moves vertically from a lower area of the enclosure to a neckarea of the user.